While the traditional philosophy to furniture shopping required a visit to brick and mortar furniture stores to test the furniture’s comfort factor and quality, today’s best online furniture stores offer convenience, competitive prices and quality.
When ordering from an online furniture store, do a little research first. Some things to consider before ordering include:
–customer reviews
–refund and shipment damage policy
–chat online or customer service phone number for any questions or doubts
–shipping costs
–detailed product information and images that show what you’re buying clearly
Try Before You Buy
On larger items like sofas or wood furniture items, many stores offer loaner samples or the option to purchase swatches to review for color and texture before ordering the item. Take advantage of this service – a smartphone screen can’t accurately depict colors as well as an actual fabric or wood swatch.
Online Furniture Store Shipping Prices
Shipping fees vary, especially depending on your location. Most online furniture stores will mention “within the Continental US”, meaning that Alaska and Hawaii have a different delivery fee schedule. If you’re in a rural area, delivery pricing may also vary. Two common delivery terms include:
—White glove service. Movers bring the item inside, unwrap it at your location of choice and dispose of the packaging debris. Delivery services do not move existing furniture. Some may even charge an additional fee for second floor delivery.
—Threshold delivery. Often less expensive than white glove service and means that the driver will leave the packed furniture items at your front door’s threshold.
Return Policies Demystified
When ordering online, a general rule of thumb for returns and exchanges is to save your receipt, save all packaging and contact the company right away if you discover damages or change your mind about the item(s).
Most companies expect you to pay for your own return shipping and do not refund any shipping fees. When returning items for refund or exchange, some online furniture stores will send you a return label. For the stores that don’t offer return labels, mail your items back using certified shipping or tracking as proof that the items made it back to the retailer and you are due a refund.
When Shipping Damages Happen
Always check an online furniture store’s details before delivery day to be aware of any policies that cover you if the delivery goes awry. Most delivery companies will not wait while you unpack an item to make sure it has arrived safely. A helpful step in protecting you is to inspect shipping packaging and write on the delivery slip a description of any dents, tears or damage to the exterior packaging before you sign.
Once you unpack the item, contact the company right away if there’s a problem. Save all packaging including bubble wrap and styrofoam — delivery companies may send a shipping representative to determine how the item was damaged and will want to see how the damaged item was packed.
30 Best Online Furniture Stores
We’ve put together a Freshome guide of the 30 best online furniture stores. Our criteria in selecting the top online furniture stores included item quality, customer experience, shipping prices and refund policy. Things change, so remember to always double check an online store’s fine print when it comes to return policies and shipping fees.
2Modern
2modern.com
California based, eco-friendly and always on the hunt for product made in the USA. 2Modern is an authorized dealer for iconic brands including Knoll, Louis Poulsen and Artemide, but they also love to feature emerging companies and designers. Free sample swatches available for select pieces.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping on most items over $50
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
Apt 2B
apt2b.com
A newcomer in the modern home furnishings world, Los Angeles based Apt 2B offers affordable furniture for every room. Their useful room packages offer 8 pieces of furniture to furnish your living room and dining area effortlessly in three price levels varying from $1688 to $2888.
Shipping Fees: Free
Return Policy: Excellent – send it back or refuse it if you’re unhappy. They’ll work with you on a refund. Apt 2B aims to make the return process as simple as possible
West Elm
westelm.com
West Elm is Pottery Barn’s venture to offer hip, home furnishings for the urban dweller. Established in Brooklyn in 2002, West Elm has a great variety of affordable, colorful and modern furniture and accessories. They’re collaborating with a growing number of artisans worldwide to offer quality, hand-made products.
Shipping Fees: $4.95 to 10% of order
Return Policy: Good, 30 days. Special order or clearance items not returnable
Design Within Reach
dwr.com
Home to high-end, iconic pieces. Founded in 1998 during a time when buying the top furniture design required a trip to Europe or a trade contact, they brought the icons to the retail world for all, hence the name Design Within Reach. Their website is helpful with plenty of detailed images, options and dimensions. A 3D room planner is also available online, while swatches can be ordered for preview.
Shipping Fees: $9 to 8% standard delivery within the continental US, capping at $1000
Return Policy: Fair, 30 days but a 10% restocking fee will be charged on items not including accessories, bedding and towels
Amazon
amazon.com
If you can’t find it on Amazon, you won’t find it. With countless retailers selling their offerings on Amazon, there’s something for every budget. Amazon customer reviews are often helpful in making a purchasing decision.
Shipping Fees: Vary according to items and vendor
Return Policy: Varies according to items vendor
Wayfair
wayfair.com
A large variety of furnishings along the lines of Amazon or Overstock, specializing in affordable furniture. Their goal is to offer a wide variety of brands big and small, delivered fast.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping on orders over $49, large items may have additional fees, noted in shopping cart
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
All Modern
allmodern.com
All Modern offers a comprehensive collection of contemporary and modern ranging from Scandinavian, to retro to rustic. Launched in 2006 as a modern curated division of Wayfair, many items ship as quickly as 24 hours. They offer one of the easiest options for shipping to Canada, calculating duty, tax and shipping at checkout.
Shipping Fees: $6.99 under $49, free over $49. Some items may require an additional fee, which will be detailed in the checkout process
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period. Clearance items not returnable
Ballard Designs
ballarddesigns.com
The website is a popular resource for interior designers, especially in more traditional styles, but a search will uncover some modern gems. Many items are customizable. Sample swatches are available for fabrics, wood and even area rugs. The apartment furniture category displays items that are scaled for smaller spaces.
Shipping Fees: $5.95 to 10% of price, while oversized items will note an additional fee in the item description
Return Policy: Very good, 90 day period. Specially upholstered items have a 10 day period, but Ballard Designs will pay the return freight
Bludot
bludot.com
Bludot is based in Minneapolis. Their designs are modern and often come in a variety of bold color options. The website functionality allows you to see certain furniture pieces in the different colors available by clicking on the color box.
Shipping Fees: 5% of purchase total plus $99 or $129 for in room placement and assembly
Return Policy: Very good, no limitations set. They’ll work with you on a refund. 20% restocking fee on items that are returned without original packaging
Canvas Home
canvashomestore.com
If you’re going for a modern, organic vibe, the accessories and furniture are perfect for you. While the accessories are competitively priced, the bigger furniture pieces are priced mid range to expensive.
Shipping Fees: Vary according to items. Select items over $150 qualify for free shipping
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
CB2
cb2.com
Crate and Barrel’s little brother and a perfect resource for inexpensive, colorful accents and small space living. They’re starting to implement videos on their site, for a fresh way to see furniture items. Upholstery pieces can be viewed in the variety of colors they come in by clicking on the colors.
Shipping Fees: Between $4.95 and 10% of the order total. In-home delivery between $59 and $159 for unlimited pieces. A flat rate fee of $299 for unlimited furniture items is charged on select zip codes that fall outside of their standard in home delivery zones
Return Policy: Excellent, returns accepted within 90 days with receipt, except for special order items
Container Store
containerstore.com
Specializing in home organization, they may not offer a full selection of furniture, but their shelves and storage solutions are a functional option for any space.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping on $75 or more
Return Policy: Excellent, 120 days in-store or by mail
ABC Carpet and Home
abccarpet.com
A New York based retailer with a giant variety of items from accessories and textiles to furniture. The furnishings are pricey but may be worth it if you’re looking to splurge on a unique statement piece.
Shipping Fees: Does not specify online, although national furniture delivery starts at $250
Return Policy: Fair, 48 hours to 7 day period
Cost Plus World Market
worldmarket.com
If you’re on a budget, Cost Plus offers a good, colorful variety of furniture and home accents. It’s not just a destination for exotic pillows and interesting international foods — their modern furnishings mix is growing.
Shipping Fees: $4.95 to 10% of order
Return Policy: Very good, 60 day period
Crate and Barrel
crateandbarrel.com
A pioneer in the online furniture store and trusted company with a good reputation for affordable, modern furniture. The website is among the most helpful, with buying guides, plenty of quality images and the opportunity to see a furniture piece change color, according to the swatch you click on. Sample swatches available for purchase.
Their upholstery quality is excellent and if a full furniture upgrade isn’t in the cards yet, Crate and Barrel offers a wide, colorful selection of accents that can give your space a facelift until you’re ready for the big investment pieces.
Shipping Fees: Between $4.95 and 10% of the order total. In home delivery between $59 and $159 for unlimited pieces. A flat rate fee of $299 for unlimited furniture items is charged on select zip codes that fall outside of their standard in home delivery zones
Return Policy: Very good, returns accepted within 90 days with receipt, except for special order items
Design Public
designpublic.com
Design Public call themselves your source of “everything cool for the home” offering a wide variety of modern furniture brands. Their commitment to offering you a great shopping experience is one of their biggest goals.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping over $50 unless noted
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
Dwell
store.dwell.com
An extension of Dwell Magazine, the online store offers Mid-Century Modern pieces at their best. Pricey but of great quality. They offer a concierge service to help you with the design process, choosing a perfect gift or any other issue you may need help with.
Shipping Fees: Accessories over $50 get free shipping within the continental US. Furniture deliveries cost between $200 for threshold and $325 for white glove service
Return Policy: Fair, 30 day period for accessories. Furniture return policies not specified and dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
EQ3
eq3.com
Based in Winnipeg, Canada, where EQ3 manufacturers many of their pieces. They have store locations and easy shipping in both the US and Canada, making it a good online modern furniture source.
Shipping Fees: Vary according to item
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period. Herman Miller items final sale
Gilt
gilt.com
You’re required to sign up for a free email membership, but it’s worth it, thanks to the exclusive flash sales and discounts they offer. Gilt sells luxury brands at “60% off”. Their home collections are perfect for the home fashionista that needs Missoni or Valentino label furnishings.
Shipping Fees: Varied and specified on product page
Return Policy: Good, 21 day period, some items marked as final sale not returnable
H&M Home
hm.com/us/department/HOME
If you’re a fan of their cheap and chic fashion fixes, you’ll be most impressed with their home collections. Focused mainly on accents and accessories, their venture into the home world started a couple of years ago. The home accents are slowly arriving at a store near you, but can be ordered online in the meantime.
Shipping Fees: Flat rate shipping of $5.95
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period, although items purchased online cannot be returned at stores
Ikea
ikea.com
Not everything at ikea.com is available for home delivery yet, but the website made our list for two reasons. There’s a growing number of items that do ship home. You can choose to see buy online items only. And you can research and check stock on items at your local store before driving out to buy them.
Other great options on ikea.com include the ability to make shopping lists and the useful digital catalog showing how best to use their products, especially in space-challenged rooms.
Shipping Fees: Price calculated at check out
Return Policy: Very good. Items can be returned to a store, shipped back or you can call for pickup on larger pieces. 90 day period
Inmod
inmod.com
Established in 2003 in Chicago, Inmod, formerly Chiasso, specializes in Modern Classics. They’re committed to providing an ever-increasing selection of earth-friendly furniture. They offer a great selection of modern nursery furniture.
Shipping Fees: Free
Return Policy: Very good, no restocking fees, no return period specified
Jonathan Adler
jonathanadler.com
If you need a little happy chic in your life, Jonathan Adler is the place. The website offers moderate to expensive vintage and retro accents and furniture that will bring a smile to every guest. If you have an aversion to color, this online shop is not for you.
Swatches are available and the images are well detailed, featuring product shots and lifestyle pictures offering a look at how the item looks in a room.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping on accent orders over $150, furniture flat fee of $79 to $199
Return Policy: Fair. Many of the items outside of vases and smaller decor are not returnable
Muji
muji.com
Muji.com is the place for fun, quirky Tokyo-style small space living furnishings and accessories.
Shipping Fees: $5.95 to $25.95
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
One Kings Lane
onekingslane.com
One Kings Lane started as a flash-sale business, but now offers a bigger variety of items, making it on our list of best online furniture stores. Items are mid priced to expensive but have a designer look and feel that may be the perfect touch in your home.
Shipping Fees: $6.95 to 7% of order total
Return Policy: Good, most items can be returned within a 14 day period. Check each item’s return availability on the product description page
Overstock
overstock.com
Overstock offers a massive collection of furniture, many of which are priced competitively or for clearance.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping over $49
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period
Restoration Hardware
restorationhardware.com
High end, quality furniture with European styling in rich, earth tones. A great resource for adding the rustic or organic-modern look to your contemporary decor.
Shipping Fees: Furniture: $4.95 to $50 for smaller items, $199 – $499 flat rate on large pieces
Return Policy: Good, 30 day period. Special order and clearance items not returnable
Room and Board
roomandboard.com
Mid-priced, high quality modern home furnishings. The emphasis at Room and Board is on a return to American craftsmanship, which means the majority of product offered is handmade by US artisans and crafters in American materials and hardwoods like walnut, cherry and maple.
Shipping Fees: Unlimited small accessories, free shipping. Full service delivery for unlimited items between $89 – $129 depending on location
Return Policy: Very good. Free return delivery, return period not specified. Special order items incur a 30% restocking fee
Y Living
yliving.com
Y Living carries a well-curated collection of modern furniture from top global design talents. Their prices and collections vary from midrange to high end. Y Living makes it on our best online furniture stores list as a resource for the latest items creating buzz in the design world. If a $5000 bed is out of your budget, Y Living at least sets the bar of items to add to your wishlist.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping on most items
Return Policy: Good, 30 days
Zara Home
zarahome.com
Contemporary can sometimes be devoid of a warm, personal touch. Zara Home is a great resource for occasional furniture, textiles and accents that add texture and sophistication to a contemporary room.
Shipping Fees: Free shipping
Return Policy: Excellent, free returns
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